Atkins foundation fattens U-M coffers

University gets $2 million from diet guru's family.

University gets $2 million from diet guru's family.

May 09, 2006

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- The University of Michigan is getting a $2 million gift from a foundation established by the family of diet guru Robert Atkins to study the science of obesity and metabolism. The money will fund an endowed professorship named for Robert Atkins and his widow, Veronica. Robert Atkins, who died in 2003 following a fall, developed the low-carb, high-protein diet that allows dieters to eat large amounts of meat, cheese and eggs. The university's first recipient of the endowed professorship is Dr. Charles Burant, whose research focuses on the biology of metabolism as it relates to diabetes, nutrition and obesity. He also researches the development of new treatments for diabetes and obesity. Burant directs the Michigan Metabolomics & Obesity Center and is an associate professor in the Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes division of the Department of Internal Medicine, and in the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology. Robert Atkins graduated from the University of Michigan in 1951 before attending medical school at Cornell University. Veronica Atkins said in a statement that the University of Michigan is a fitting place to help fulfill her husband's dream -- "for the research community to bear out complementary medicine as a valid and effective medical approach to treating the myriad of metabolic disorders that plague our society today." The Atkins Foundation has pledged $13.5 million for professorships at Michigan and six other American universities. Burant said in a statement that obesity and related conditions "are a crisis confronting our society like never before."